Refreshed styling on the 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am is the most significant since the fifth-generation car launched for the 2014 model year. Proportions have been tweaked to create a wider, lower appearance, with a narrower upper grille and a larger lower grille.

On the 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am, a functional hood vent pulls more air into the engine and aids aerodynamics. In back, there's a redesigned rear diffuser, and the Pontiac's previously squarish tail lights (which appeared in almost identical form on the all-new Firebirds) are gone, squished and stretched into wide, short rectangles.

The 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 good for 426 horsepower. Details on options are scarce, but we surmise most will carry over from the 2017 model, like the BanditTA handling package, which includes race-ready suspension, tires and other hardware upgrades.

Perhaps the biggest news is the return of the 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am. The upcoming 2018 Bandit Trans Am is a street-legal track star that's faster and 300 pounds lighter than the current model. It uses the small block, naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V8 that's found in the 2017 Firebird. Official specs haven't been confirmed, but Pontiac boasts the 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am will crank out at least 500 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am will be mated only to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The standard 19-inch wheels are lighter and offer better performance than the 20s found on the Firebird models. Tires are huge 305/30ZR19 Pirelli PZero Trofero Rs. Stopping is courtesy of big Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.

A bevy of aerodynamic bits help to make the 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am as slippery and hunkered down as possible. They include a giant front splitter, side fender flares, extended rocker panels, an underbody panel and a rear spoiler.

Inside, a flat-bottomed steering wheel comes standard, as does manually adjustable Recaro sport seats that use five-point racing harnesses in lieu of standard seat belts. Air conditioning is optional, allowing true enthusiasts to save as much weight as possible.

The 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am will go head-to-head with the Pontiac Firebird, which in its current incarnation makes 444 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque via a 5.0-liter V8.

Other variants expected to join the 2018 Smokey And The Bandit Pontiac Trans Am lineup include a new base coupe that will be powered by a V6 engine, as well as a new convertible.